docs: add safe first-run guide with local vulnerable targets

Adds a Getting Started page showing how to verify a Strix setup
safely using OWASP Juice Shop, DVWA, or a local codebase — so new
users don't have to point the tool at a real application before
understanding scope and permissions.

Addresses #972
This commit is contained in:
sandiyochristan 2026-08-07 05:28:19 +05:30
parent c6c8bb5ca6
commit aa4418752a
2 changed files with 105 additions and 1 deletions

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@ -17,7 +17,8 @@
"group": "Getting Started",
"pages": [
"index",
"quickstart"
"quickstart",
"quickstart-safe-target"
]
},
{

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---
title: "Safe First Run"
description: "Verify your Strix setup safely using a local vulnerable demo app"
---
Strix is an autonomous pentesting tool — it actively probes, submits forms, and sends requests to its target. Before pointing it at anything you care about, verify your setup against a **local intentionally vulnerable application** where no real damage is possible.
<Warning>
**Only scan systems you own or are explicitly authorized to test.** Unauthorized scanning is illegal in most jurisdictions. When in doubt, use the local targets described on this page.
</Warning>
## Option 1: OWASP Juice Shop (Recommended)
[Juice Shop](https://owasp.org/www-project-juice-shop/) is OWASP's intentionally vulnerable web application with 100+ challenges covering the OWASP Top 10. It runs locally in Docker — same as Strix's sandbox.
### Setup
```bash
# Pull and run Juice Shop (runs on port 3000)
docker run --rm -d --name juice-shop -p 3000:3000 bkimminich/juice-shop
# Verify it's running
curl -s http://localhost:3000 | head -5
```
### Run Strix Against It
```bash
# Quick scan — fastest way to verify your setup works
strix --target http://host.docker.internal:3000 --scan-mode quick
# Standard scan — broader coverage
strix --target http://host.docker.internal:3000 --scan-mode standard
```
<Note>
Use `host.docker.internal` (not `localhost`) so the Strix sandbox container can reach the Juice Shop container on your host machine.
</Note>
### What to Expect
A quick scan against Juice Shop typically finds:
- SQL injection in the login and search endpoints
- XSS in user-facing input fields
- Broken authentication (weak password policies)
- Information disclosure (error stack traces, directory listings)
Results are saved to `strix_runs/<run-name>/`. Run `strix view` to see the interactive report.
### Cleanup
```bash
docker stop juice-shop
```
## Option 2: DVWA (Damn Vulnerable Web Application)
A simpler target for quick setup verification.
```bash
# Pull and run DVWA (runs on port 8080)
docker run --rm -d --name dvwa -p 8080:80 vulnerables/web-dvwa
# Default credentials: admin / password
# Run Strix
strix --target http://host.docker.internal:8080 --scan-mode quick
```
## Option 3: Local Codebase (White-Box)
If you want to test Strix's source-aware scanning without any network target:
```bash
# Clone an intentionally vulnerable codebase
git clone https://github.com/OWASP/NodeGoat.git /tmp/nodegoat
# Run Strix in white-box mode
strix --target /tmp/nodegoat --scan-mode quick
```
This analyzes the source code directly — no running application needed.
## Verifying Your Setup
After your first scan completes, check:
1. **Results directory exists**: `ls strix_runs/`
2. **Report generated**: Check for `penetration_test_report.md` in the run directory
3. **Findings present**: `cat strix_runs/<run>/vulnerabilities.json | python3 -m json.tool | head -20`
4. **Interactive viewer**: `strix view` opens a local dashboard showing findings, severity, and agent activity
## Next Steps
Once your setup is verified against a safe local target:
<CardGroup cols={2}>
<Card title="Target Your App" icon="bullseye" href="/quickstart">
Point Strix at your own application or codebase.
</Card>
<Card title="Scan Modes" icon="gauge" href="/usage/scan-modes">
Choose the right scan depth for your use case.
</Card>
</CardGroup>